Inflation device for pneumatic tires



J.- O. ECKER INFLATION DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES Nov. 19, 1929. I

. Filed June 11. 1928 A If!!! IIIIFIIIl/Illlllll! INVENTOR; Jiflm Orn'ZZeEcHer,

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Patented Nov. 19, 1929 is I V.

- JOHN ORVILLE ECKER, ()1? SAN MATEO, FLORIDA INFLATION DEVICE ron PNEUMATIC TInEs I Application filed June 11,

'This invention relates to an automatically operable inflation device for pneumatic tires, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as-hereinafter-set forth a device of such class Operated from the tire during the travel thereof for automatically supplying air thereto to maintain it under a proper state of inflation. V Further objects of the'invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth an automatically operable tire inflation device 7 which is comparatively simple in its constructlon and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efiicient in its use, automatic inits action, readily installed with respect to 'a'tire, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

Wit-h the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists of the novel construction, combinatlon and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment ence characters'denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a verticalsectional view of a pneumatic tire showing the adaptation therewith of an inflation deviceinaccordancewith this invention. V p p Figure 2 is a section on line 22 Figure 1. "Figure 3 is an inverted plan of a guide sleeve.

"Figure 4 is a fragmentary view. in top plan illustrating the controlling spring and its mounting.

' Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 Figure 1. Figure 6 is a section-0n line 66 Figure 1. Figure 7 is a top plan view of a packing I member. 1 -Referring to the drawings in detail 1 denotesthe outer casing or shoe of a pneumatic tire and. which is connected to a rim 2 carried'by' a felloe 3. The opposed edges of the casing 1 are arranged to provide a clearance I 4 for the purpose to be hereinafter referred 1928. Serial No. 284,617.

to and the felloe 3isprovided with an open- 1ng-5 which registers with the clearance 4. The inner tube of the tire is indicated at 6 and which hasvulcanized to its inner face a metallic plate 70f concavo-convex cross section. The plate 7 is vulcanized to the inner, face of the tube 6 at the outer portion of the latter and vulcanized to the inner face of the tube 6 at the inner portion of the latter'and opposing the plate 7 is a flanged guide sleeve 8.: The flange of the sleeve 8 is indicated at, 9 and it is vulcanized to the inner face of the inner tube 6. The sleeve 8 extends inwardly from the inner portion of the tube 6 and has its inner face in proXimityto its free end formed with an annulargroove 10 in which is arranged an annular packing member 11,

preferably of rubber, and which from the inner face of thesleeve 8.

The tube 6 is provided with an opening 12 which registers with the inner face of the sleeve 8 and also registers with the wall of the clearance 4L and opening 13 formed in the rim projects 2 and with'the wall'of the opening 5 provided in the felloe 3. V

Extending through the opening 5 in the felloe3, as well as through the opening 13 in the rim 2, clearance 4 in the shoe 1, opening 12 in the tube 6 and through the sleeve 8, as well as projecting inwardly from the latter is a resiliently supported shiftable plunger referred to generally at ltand which includes a tubular part 15 having formed integral with the inner end thereof a head 16 provided with a centrallydisposed socket 17, a. plu rality of spaced air supply ports 18, a plurality of valve chambers '19 which open into the ports 18, a valve seat 20 atithe inner end of each chamber,a check valve 21 within each chamber-and coacting with the seat 20 to close a port 18, and 'acontrolling spring22 within each chamber 19 and constituting means for normally maintaining the valve 21 in position to close the ports 18.

The head 16 at its inner end is formed with an annular recess 23 "with .the wall thereof threaded as at 24 and positionedwithin the recess and extending across the valve chambers 19 at the inner ends thereof is anapertured disc 25 for retaining the 'spring22 in to the inner tube of the tire, said tubular porends thereof, means adapted to be secured to the felloe of a wheel for suspending and en closing said plunger, said means spaced from said plunger, a movable plunger provided with a head and a tubular portion, said tubular portion communicating through said head tion surrounding said stationary plunger and said intake tubes opening into said portion, spring controlled valves within said head for closing said tubular portion to the inner tube of the tire, and a controlling spring coupled to the inner end of said movable plunger, said spring providing a resilient support for said movable plunger.

3. An inflation device for pneumatic tires comprising a cylinder adapted to be secured to and extend inwardly from the felloe of a wheel, said cylinder being open at its forward end and closed at its rear end by an apertured cap secured thereto, a stationary plunger suspended from said cap and arranged within and spaced from said cylinder, said plunger being provided with air intake tubes connectedtherewith and to the cap and having both ends open, closure valveswithin the intake ends of said tubes and positioned at said cap, a movable plunger provided with a tubular portion and a head, said tubular portion communicating through said head with the inner tube of the tire and further extending into said cylinder and surrounding said stationary plunger, valves Within said head for closing said tubular portion to the inner tube of the tire, and a controlling spring for said movable plunger coupled to the inner end of the latter, said spring providing a resilient support 'for said movable plunger.

In testimony whereof, I atlix my signature hereto.

JOHN ORVILLE ECKER. 

